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Tigers demote Collins; Romine, Perez in line to make roster

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

The Tigers announced Monday they optioned outfielder Tyler Collins to Triple-A Toledo. His demotion means Andrew Romine and Hernan Perez are expected to make the Opening Day roster, barring any late spring-training roster moves, per MLB.com.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus is hoping to use infieldersAndrew Romine and Hernan Perez as emergency catchers if Alex Avila were to go down, reports MLB.com.

Romine and Perez have limited experience with catching in their careers.

"If it's an emergency, you're just hoping to have somebody back there who can catch the ball," Ausmus said. "You obviously have your back against the wall. You need to get through the game. And if need be, you can call someone up the next game. You just want someone who can catch the ball and maybe have enough arm to throw a runner out so they don't run wild."

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters that he doesn't envision Victor Martinezbehind the plate any more, according to MLive.com, With Martinez's days as a catcher behind him, Ausmus worked out Hernan Perez and Andrew Romine behind the plate on Wednesday as possible emergency options for the Tigers this season.

Martinez tore the medial meniscus in his left knee in February, and is working his way back from February surgery in hopes of being ready for Opening Day. In 2014 he batted .335 with 32 homers.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Monday that he can envision a scenario where the team keeps both Andrew Romine and Hernan Perez on the 25-man roster heading into the season, MLive.com reports.

Romine and Perez were thought to be competing for the same superutility role this spring, but Ausmus may choose not to roster a fifth outfielder and instead roll with the two infielders, each of whom the manager planned to use in the outfield this spring.

If the team goes with four outfielders, it's likely Tyler Collins won't make the Opening Day roster.

"If you look at our team, we have Yoenis Cespedes, J.D. Martinez, Rajai Davis and Anthony Gose -- we have four outfielders," Ausmus said. "Where's (Collins) playing? Maybe he can pinch hit here and there. Maybe one of those corner outfielders really needs a day off and we're facing a tough righty -- maybe a guy like Collins fits into that mold. But barring injury, between those four outfielders, the vast majority of playing time is already consumed."

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday that infielder Andrew Romine will get some work in the outfield during the spring, MLive.com reports.

Romine appeared in 94 games during the 2014 season, spending most of his time at shortstop, and he's also seen time at second base and third base in his major-league career (as well as one pitching appearance). His only playing time in seven minor-league seasons also came at those same three infield positions.

If Romine is able to handle the outfield defensively, he could serve in the a similar role as utility player Don Kelly, who saw action at every position at all three outfield positions as well as work at first base, second base and third base in each of the Tigers' last two seasons.

Romine, who is out of options, is expected to compete for a roster spot with infielder Hernan Perez, who will also get some playing time in the outfield. Romine hit .227/.279/.275 with two home runs, 12 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 251 at-bats in his first season with the Tigers in 2014. Perez, who has split time primarily between shortstop and second base in the minors, hit .287/.331/.404 with six home runs, 53 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 547 at-bats with Triple-A Toledo.